Little Snowfall Results In Little Precipitation for Raccoon River Valley

What turned out to be a fairly mild snowfall on Wednesday was all the precipitation that fell in the Raccoon River Valley over the past week. On Wednesday in Perry we saw 1.1 inches of snow and 0.08 inch of other precipitation. 1.7 inches of snow, along with .14 inch of precipitation fell in Jefferson. Guthrie Center received an even 2 inches of snow for .06 inch of precipitation.
Perry Kiwanis Pancake Day Saturday

The Perry Kiwanis Club hosts their big annual fundraiser this weekend, and everyone is invited to the Elks Lodge for Pancake Day.

Club President Abi Albrecht says this is a long standing event that many look forward to.  Plus, it helps them, help the community.

“Some of the big things that we do that people probably know about are the scholarships for the Perry High School kids, every year we give between four to six scholarships and to date we have given 140 scholarships, totaling $82,450.  Also we have given to the Perry Public Library for their summer reading program.  We’ve helped with the fireworks for the 4th of July. We’ve given some money to Freedom for Youth ministries.”

Albrecht says it’s really about giving back to any local service group or community group that they can.

The event takes place from 7am-6:30pm Saturday at the Elks Lodge.  Tickets are $6 in advance for adults and $4 for kids, with prices increasing by one dollar the day of the event. The menu includes all you can eat pancakes, sausages, juice, water and coffee.

Dallas County Engineer Says Gas Tax Increase Will Be Significant

Tuesday the Iowa House and Senate approved a 10 cent per gallon increase in the gas tax.

Proponents for the bill argued that this was the best way to get the money needed to repair roads and bridges across Iowa, but how will this impact our local areas?

The dime per gallon increase is expected to amount to around $200 million annually.  Dallas County Engineer Jim George says around $700,000 of that would go to his department each year.

George says this would likely be spent on repairs to small bridges or drainage structures in the County, as their bridge fund is mostly depleted.  And, while he assumes the local emphasis would likely be on structures, that dollar amount could also buy around one mile of road.

In all, George says the increase will be a “significant” one for Dallas County.  The bill was signed into law by Governor Terry Branstad Wednesday and will take effect this Sunday.
BRR Proceeds Help Benefit Local Trail Projects

In addition to raising money for programming and events through the Perry Area Chamber of Commerce, this year’s Bike Ride to Rippey proceeds will also help support other cycling projects.

Chamber Executive Director Bob Wilson says this year they added in the option to donate during registration and also sold special t-shirts the day of the event.

“Pedal Perry is a program fundraising for trail signage, we made them about $400.  The (Raccoon River Valley Trail to High Trestle Trail) Connector was another option, and again, another $400 donation towards that program from riders.  So the idea is, yes we want to make some money but the big one is these riders are coming and spending money in our community.”

Wilson says this year’s ride was a success, thanks in large part to the weather, and while he’s happy to report the Chamber was able to make some money, it’s also important to give back to local causes, organizations and businesses that help make the event possible.
City of Perry Nearing the End of the Budget Process

The budget process is starting to come to a close for the City of Perry as they prepare for the upcoming 2016 fiscal year.

City Administrator Butch Niebuhr says they continue to face the same issues year after year.

“You know, it actually went fairly smooth this year.  It’s always tough, and I’ve told our department heads and I’ve told (the City) Council when we had a budget session that, we’re at that point where the city needs to grow.  We need to grow and access taxable value to be able to get more money coming into the City’s coffers and the general fund.  Every department which is funded through the general fund, which is police, fire, the (recreation) center, administration, all of those departments are bare boned.  They have the minimum amount of people that it takes to run that department so it really makes it tough every year because there just isn’t a lot to cut.”

A public hearing in regards to the proposed budget has been set for the next City Council meeting Monday evening.

 

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